Terror and Transformation; The Ambiguity of Religion in Psychoanalytic Perspective

by James W. Jones

Religion has been responsible for both horrific acts against humanity and some of humanity's most sublime teachings and experiences. How is this possible? From a contemporary psychoanalytic perspective, this book seeks to answer that question in terms of the psychological dynamic of idealisation.
At the heart of living religion is the idealisation of everyday objects. Such idealisations provide much of the transforming power of religious experience, which is one of the positive contributions of religion to the psychological life. However, idealisation can also lead to religious fanaticism which can be very destructive. Drawing on the work of various contemporary relational theorists within psychoanalysis, this book develops a psychoanalytically informed theory of the transforming and terror-producing effects of religious experience. It discusses the question of whether or not, if idealisation is the cause of many of the destructive acts done in the name of religion, there can be vital religion without idealisation.
This is the first book to address the nature of religion and its capacity to sponsor both terrorism and transformation in terms of contemporary relational psychoanalytic theory. It will be invaluable to students and practitioners of psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, psychology and religious studies, and to others interested in the role of religion in the lives of individuals and societies.

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2002

Reviews

[Eric Deslauriers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense, but only because the subject matter is necessarily complicated. Some psychologists and theories Jones explores through 'Terror and Transformation' are very academic. Jones does his best to simplify, and overall does so admirably. The book's conclusion will probably surprise you, as it did for me. I was impressed with the highly nuanced conclusion Jones ultimately leads his readers to.